Kullu

Kullu
was once known as Kulanthpitha, which means the end of the habitable world.
Beyond rose the forbidding heights of the Greater Himalayas, and by the
banks of the shining river Beas, lay the fabled 'Silver Valley'.
Here is the core of an intricate web of numerous valleys - each of which is
a visual delight and seems more beautiful than the other. The mountain
scapes remain spectacular whether in brilliant sunshine or in the haze of
the mist. The 'Silver Valley' has nature's treasures that lie carelessly
scattered as flowers on the high meadows.
The town of Kullu has long been a centre of faith. In the 17th century,
Raja Jagat Singh installed here an idol of Lord Raghunathji, which he
brought from Ayodhya. As a mark of his penance, he placed the idol on his
throne and it became the presiding deity of the valley.

Prime Attractions of Kullu

The Great Himalayan National Park

Characterised
by dazzling high ridges, glaciers, deep gorges, alpine meadows and valleys
with closed virgin forests, the Great Himalayan National Park with an
altitudinal variation from 1,300m to 6,100m in Kullu district is one of the
best destinations for Himalayan flora and fauna lovers. Supporting a diverse
wildlife of over three hundred species of birds and over thirty species of
mammals, the region was declared a national park in 1984.

Bijli Mahadev Temple

Situated at an altitude of
2,438 metres one can reach this temple by a tough but rewarding climb
through a 6-km long trek. From the temple site, a panoramic view of Kullu
and Parvati valleys is available.

Brighu Lake

In district Kullu, Brighu Lake lies
east of the Rohtang Pass and is about 6-km from the village of Bulaba. The
shores of this clear water lake are devoid of human habitation yet, it is
visited regularly by the people of the area

Dhankia Mahadeva Temple

The temple is dedicated
to Shiva who stands enshrined in a cave in the form of a 'lingam'.

Kullu Dussehra

More traditionally, over two
hundred deities converge on Kullu for its unusual Dussehra Celebrations.
They pay homage to Lord Raghunathji while Music and colour fill the "Silver
Valley". Dussehra at Kullu commences on the tenth day of the rising
moon, i.e. on 'Vijay Dashmi' day itself and continues in seven days.

Pin Parbati Pass

The Pin Parbati Pass, 4,810m,
is marked by rock cairns and prayer flags. The alpine views to the
snow-capped ranges towards the Kullu Valley contrast with the barren
mountain ridges, which stretch east towards Spiti.

Akhara Bazaar

Known as one of the main bazaar,
where Kullu caps, shawls, 'pattoos', gudmas, 'puhlas' and 'namdas' or rugs
are sold in plenty.

Basheshwar Mahadev Temple, Bajaura

This 9th
century Shiva Temple is renowned for its intricate stone carvings.

Chandra Khanni Pass

The tough climbing
trek-route of Chandra Khani Pass lies east of Khatrain. The whole area looks
wonderfully striking and colorful when the flowers in various brilliant
hues, are in blossom

Dashir Lake

Dashir Lake is situated near the
Rohtang Pass that connects district Kullu with Lahaul at a height of 4,270m.

Deo Tibba

Also known as Indralika, this 2,953
metres (9,687 ft.) high snow dove Jagatsukh, has a legend around it, with
Arjuna. He started performing 'tapa' at this mountain, under the advice of
Maharishi Vyas, in order to obtain the powerful Pasupata Astra from Indra.

Jagatsukh

Jagatsukh is the most ancient Kullu
capital, situated on the left bank, between Nagar and Manali. Around the
Jagatsukh secondary school playground there are two ancient temples - the
small shrine of Gaurishankar and the larger chalet-roofed temple to the
goddess Sandhya Devi, the stone base of which is much more ancient than the
19th-century wooden verandah and roof.

Kaisdhar

A picturesque spot, situated across a
steep hill known for its magnificient scenery and innumerable walks.

Kanawar Sanctuary

This sanctuary is located in
Parbati valley of Kullu district. Uphill walk along Garahan Nala from Kasol
through dense majestic Deodar and Fir forests is enjoyable.

Kaso

An open glade by the banks of the river
Parvati, Kasol makes a good holiday destination. Clean white sand separates
the lush green grass from the stone, this place is well known for trout
fishing

Katrain

At about midpoint on Kullu-Manali road,
this is the home of lush orchards and famous for bee-keeping and trout
fishing. Khatrain is the widest point in Kullu Valley and is overlooked by
the 3,325 m Baragarh peak.

Kullu Handicrafts

Also known as "felted
wool", Namdas are made by beating rather than weaving the wool. Baskets
in Himachal are made of a high altitude species of bamboo called 'Nargal'.
Kullu cap is an extremely colourful headgear, made of a wollen cloth with
variety of colouful band of Shaneel around it.

Largi

Largi is a small hamlet, 34-km south of
Kullu via Aut, offers the best trout fishing and scenic beauty in the
valley. The resthouse there is in a stunning location where two Himalayan
torrents, the Sainj and Tirthan, meet. Fishing permits can be obtained from
Kullu and Largi itself.

Lohri Festival

Winter chill outdoors contrasts
well with the warmth of the fireplace indoors. Festivities take a head start
with Lohri celebrations when people, young and old, volunteer to sing folk
songs by the side of bonfire at night.

Malana Valley

In the valleys of Kullu and
Manali below Chanderkhani Pass, situated at an altitude of 2,76m is a little
hub of hundred houses. The village, which consists of 1,000 tribals, has an
immaculate system of self-governance.

Manali Sanctuary

This sanctuary is located in
District Kullu's nearest town, Manali. The area of this sanctuary is 3,180
hectares. The sanctuary wasnotified on 26th February 1954, under the Punjab
Birds and Wild Animals Protection Act, 1933.

Naggar

Taken as an excursion from Kullu or
Manali, Nagar also known as Naggar, is a very lovely village set on a hill
surrounded by forests. Naggar was the capital of Kullu valley in the 16th
century and the monuments in the region are witnesses to the glory it had
once lived in.

Nature Parks: Kufri, Manali, Gopalpur

These are
small nature parks getting very popular among the tourists who whish to
admire the expance of nature.

Nirmund

Situated in outer Seraj of Kullu
district, Nirmund is at present a block headquarter. Known as 'Chhoti
Kashi', it was once a seat of great scholars and intellectuals.

Pulga, Khiranga and Mantalai

: Almost level
walk of two hours along Parvati river is Gattigarh, the rest place for
trekkers. Around 4-km ahead on right side of river Parvati lies Pulga, which
looks like the twin sister of Manali. Khiranga hot water fall is situated in
beautiful natural setting and its water contains medicinal property. One
thing has to be noted that taking bath in its water will put greasy touches
to the body, unlike Manikaran, where one feels the touch of dryness.
Covering another two kilometres from Khiranga lies Mantalai.

Raghunathji Temple

In the 17th century, Raja
Jagat Singh of Kullu committed a great wrong. To atone for the sin he sent a
senior courtier to Ayodhya for a statue of Lord Raghunath - Lord Ram. This
temple was built by Raja Jagat Singh to house the image and even today, is
greatly revered. The shrine houses an image of Shri Raghunath in his
chariot.

Raison

By the banks of the Beas-and on the
Kullu-Manali highway- Himachal Tourism runs a camping site here. This place
is ideal for a taste of adventure and for spending a quiet holiday in
solitary splendour.

Seruvalsar Lake

Seruvalsar Lake is situated in
district Kullu, 20-km from Ani in the direction of the Jalori Pass at a
height of 3,100m.

Shoja

At 2692 m, this is a vantagepoint for a
complete panorama of the Kullu area-snow peaks and valleys, meadows and
forests, rivers and streams.

Sultanpur Palace

It contains some fine examples
of the Kullu style of miniature painting, characterised by simple rural
scenes and the lack of human subjects.

The Vaishno Devi Temple

4-km along the Kullu to
Manali road is this temple with a small cave having an image of goddess
Vaishno or Durga.

Trekking

Himachal offers a virtual bonanza for
trekkers. From moderate to strenuous treks ranging up to 11 days and the
best season to trek over here is during the months of June to October. One
of Himachal's classic routes is the Chandra Bhaga triangle and the Baralacha
Pass at a height of 4,833m.

Excursions from Kullu

Bajaura Temple

(15Km.)
On the banks of the river Beas, about 200 m off the Kullu Mandi road at Hat
or Hatta, is situated a massive pyramidal structure temple, decorated with
images of Durga, Vishnu and Ganesh in the outer 3-sided shrines. Floriated
scrollwork can be seen on the exterior walls. Inside this Shiva temple is a
large yoni-lingam. It is 15-km from Kullu.

Banjar

(58Km.)
It is about 58-km from Kullu at an altitude of 1,534m (5,000 ft.). Banjar
is famous for its panoramic beauty and trout fishing in river Tirtham

Bathad

(67Km.)
A beautiful spot at a distance of 67-km can be approached by road from
Kullu. It is recognized for adventurous games such as hunting, trout fishing
and breathtakingly beautiful sites.

Jagannathi Devi Temple

(3Km.)
This temple is in Bhekhli village, 3-km from Kullu. It's a stiff climb but
from the temple one can catch fine views of the town.

Fairs & Festivals - Kullu

Kullu
Dussehra

When Dussehra celebrations come to an end in the rest of the country, they
begin at Kullu. Over 600 local deities come to pay homage to Lord
Raghunathji. Enthusiasm marks the festival, with every road leading to
Dhaulpur Maidan thronged by gaily-dressed, good-humoured crowds, folk
dances, exhibitions, cultural programmes are held to mark the festivities.

At the end of April, a colourful 3-day Cattle fair attracts villagers from
the surrounding areas. During the Hill Fruit Show, sponsored by Department
of Horticulture, Himachal Pradesh, best Kullu fruits are on display.

DHOONGRI FAIR
May gushes in with a whole series of river rafting festivals and water
sports Regattas, throughout the state. Focused around the goddess Hadimba
Devi, Kullu celebrates the Dhoongri fair.

How To Get There - Kullu

By Road

By road, the distance from Delhi via
Mandi is 530-km and from Shimla this is 240-km. From Delhi and Shimla,
luxury buses ply to Kullu. There's a bus and taxi stand on the opposite side
of maidan. The main bus stand is by river in the northern area of the town.

By Air

The airport at Bhuntar is 10-km from
Kullu, where taxis and buses are available.

By Rail

The closest narrow gauge railhead is at
Jogindernagar, 95-km from Kullu.

Places To Stay - Kullu

In Kullu accommodation
is plentiful and inexpensive with options varying from govenment and private
hotels to guest houses and tourist lodges.

Climate - Kullu

In winter, the temperature gets
quite low when heavy woollens are required. It is pleasant in summer and
cottons are recommended.